State Rep. Joe Carr in the House Chambers Thursday morning May 5, 2011 in Nashville, Tenn. / Samuel M. Simpkins / The Tennessean

Written by

Chas Sisk

The Tennessean

State Rep. Joe Carr, R-Lascassas, denied telling a reporter that he agreed with U.S. Rep. Todd Akin’s theory that victims of “legitimate rape” seldom carry pregnancies to term, but he stood by his position that the Akin should not be pressured to leave the Missouri Senate race.

The Memphis Flyer reported this morning that Carr told its correspondent to the Republican National Convention that he believes pregnancies terminate automatically after a rape, a medical fiction sometimes advanced by opponents of abortion. The remark — which the Flyer summarized and did not quote directly — came after a lunchtime speech by GOP strategist Frank Luntz in which Luntz asked members of the Tennessee delegation to demonstrate by show of hands whether they agree Akin should step aside.

Carr was one of only a few delegates, alternates and guests who raised their hands to indicate a belief that Akin should stay in. His reported remarks were condemned by Democrats Tuesday afternoon.

“Rep. Joe Carr has shown today what many of the women in the General Assembly have known for a long time — he is completely and totally unfit for office,” state Rep. Sherry Jones, D-Nashville, said in a press release. “Claiming that women’s bodies possess the ability to ‘close themselves off’ from pregnancy in cases of violent rape is not only biologically inaccurate, it is offensive to each and every Tennessee woman who has ever been the victim of rape.”

But as reaction spread, Carr distanced himself from the story.

Carr would confirm that he does not think Akin should be forced to drop out, but he said that view does not constitute proof that he agrees with Akin on the subject of rape.

“That’s not what he (Luntz) asked,” Carr said. “I don’t have an informed opinion on it (Akin’s views). I really don’t. … I just think they should find out what he meant first.”

Carr went on to say that he did not recall speaking to any reporter after the meeting about Akin’s remarks, though he admitted to discussing the matter in the lobby afterward Luntz’s speech.

“You’re the first reporter who has identified himself and spoken to me about it,” he said.

Follow Chas Sisk at the Republican National Convention on Twitter @chassisk.